The medical group practice of UTHealth Medical School, UT Physicians has more than 900 physicians certified in 80 medical specialties and subspecialties and provides multi-specialty care for the entire family.

Summary of Application Process for Observers, Trainees and Visiting Scientists

An application processing fee ($750.00 USD if paid by money order or $775.00 USD if paid by wire transfer) will be charged to all Foreign Observers and Foreign Professional Trainees. Please see the application for specific details.

The Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic and Research Affairs oversees this process at the institutional level.

Faculty Sponsor sends application with supporting documentation, health clearance email and payment (if applicable) to the Office of the EVP for Academic & Research Affairs “EVPARA” (applications for U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent resident) or to the Office of Global Health Initiatives “OGHI” (for non-U.S. applicants); delivery options can be obtained by calling 713-500-3533 or 713-500-3062. (For Trainees, the Faculty Sponsor will also submit the one-page Trainee Plan.

The Office of EVPARA or OGHI forwards the application to Human Resources to initiate a background check. Upon successful completion of the background check, Human Resources signs off on the application and forwards it to the Office of the EVPARA (for a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident) or to OGHI, (for a foreign national[1]).

The EVPARA's Office or OGHI determines whether an additional agreement (such as a visiting agreement or affiliation agreement) needs to be signed between the Applicant (and/or the Applicant’s home institution) and UTHealth. If required, a draft agreement will be sent to the Faculty Sponsor for forwarding to the Applicant. The Applicant (and/or home institution) signs the agreement and returns it to the Faculty Sponsor, who forwards it to OGHI/EVPARA’s Office.

If approved by OGHI, the application is forwarded to the EVPARA for final authorization.

The EVPARA’s Office reviews the application. If approved, the EVPARA signs the application and any additional agreement.

The EVPARA’s Office or OGHI notifies the Faculty Sponsor of the application’s approval or denial, and forwards copies of the approved application to the Faculty Sponsor and Human Resources (as well as the Office of International Affairs for foreign nationals to screen them through Visual Compliance software).

Once an application is approved, the Faculty Sponsor’s Department/School sends an Acceptance Letter to the Applicant, detailing the approved dates and scope of work. The Applicant signs this letter and returns it to the Faculty Sponsor.

Before the visit can start, the Applicant must have an intake appointment with Human Resources to review the Applicant’s identification and obtain a visitor’s UTHealth badge. In addition, the foreign national Applicant must obtain visa clearance from the Office of International Affairs.